Phosphocreatine in the insulin resistant

When you’re insulin resistant, that is, you’ve got metabolic syndrome, pretty much every chemical in the body is NOT QUITE RIGHT. Some are up. Some are down. Few are actually at physiologically NORMAL levels.

Traditionally the focus is on the big guns.

Sugar

Insulin

And cholesterol

In this series, we take a look at some of the other players.

Who they are, what they’re up to and how they’re part of the state of insulin resistance.

Phosphocreatine when you’re insulin resistant

Phosphocreatine, serves as a cell’s power bank, and when you have metabolic syndrome, the power bank is often NOT fully charged.

So, in key clutch moments………………. the cell, can RUN OUT OF JUICE.

Understanding cell power

The ultimate source of power, in a cell, is the high energy phosphate bond, inside ATP molecules. To function properly, cells need LOTS of ATP. The vast majority of ATP is generated, inside specialized organelles, known as the mitochondria, by a process known as oxidative phosphorylation.

The term, OXIDATIVE, tips us off, to the fact, that the process requires oxygen.

When the OXYGEN levels, inside a cell are low,

the power supply can become LIMITED.

Impacting cell performance……..

If the situation persists, for an extended period of time, it can lead to cell death. So, cells have a back up system, which kicks in, when oxygen levels drop.

Power banks

When both oxygen and fuel, are plentiful, some of the ATP that is generated, is diverted…………

The diversion involves, pulling of the high energy phosphate bond from the ATP, and sticking it onto creatine, to create phosphocreatine.

The phosphocreatine, just sits there, holding the energy.

This is especially useful, because if supplies of ATP, exceed the cell’s requirements, cells opt to power down, because generating more power, than is needed, is inherently wasteful and potentially risky.

The phosphocreatine system, allows a cell to expand the ATP store, 10 fold.

Power dips not a problem

If the power supply dips, creatine kinase, immediately, pulls the phosphate off, sticks it onto an ADP, so there is no interruption in power.

Now, this system, can’t power the cell for very long.

But, it doesn’t have to…………

Restoring oxygen supplies is a priority, so a multitude of systems, kick in, to ensure adequate oxygen delivery.

The number of power banks

Now every cell will have creatine power banks, but the amount of creatine, inside a cell, is variable. The phosphagen system, is particularly important for cells with high energy requirements…

The exact amount inside a cell, depends on…………creatine supplies.

Which depend on body levels of creatine, along with how efficiently, the creatine is being delivered.

The creatine supply

To the body is guaranteed…..it’s home made.

Production is a two step process.

Step 1 takes place in the kidney. It involves bringing together, the amino acids, glycine and arginine, to create guanidinoacetic acid. The enzyme that does this is AGAT (arginine:glycine amidinotransferase.

Step 2, takes place in the liver. The enzyme GAMT (guanidionacetic acid methyltransferase) pops a methyl group onto the guanidinoacetic acid, to make creatine.

The chemistry is pretty easy, but methyl groups are precious.

So, creatine imports are preferred……………..

Creatine imports

The major source of dietary creatine is MEAT. In fact, the name creatine, is derived from the Greek word, for meat, kreas. It is estimated that our ancestors, ate 2 – 4 g of creatine a day.

Something most modern humans, aren’t doing.

The other problem, with modern living, it’s easy to be, short of methyl groups. Methyl groups are involved in lots of day to day, body chemistry and also, in many detoxification processes. More “chemical” exposures, necessitate more methyl groups.

Combine this, with delivery issues, which go hand in hand with metabolic syndrome.

It’s easy to end up with lower levels of phosphocreatine, than ideal…………..

This impacts cell energetics, especially, in situations where oxygen levels are compromised.

Something that is also more likely to happen, when you’re metabolically challenged !

Here are a few of the journal articles I’ve used to tell the phosphocreatine story. Phosphocreatine is just one of hundreds of chemicals in the body that are amiss when you’re suffering from metabolic syndrome. To learn more about some of the other players, go to our “Ups and Downs” of Insulin Resistance series.

Disclaimer : The stories and articles are provided as a service. Dr Sandy's opinions are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe. For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.